On January 9, it was reported that the first model using Nio’s battery tech swap technology would be launched by the Chery Exeed brand in the third quarter of 2025. So far, around eight brands have signed up for the Nio-led battery swap alliance, but crucially, none have launched a car utilizing the technology.

Nio signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Chery covering battery swapping last January in Hefei, Anhui Province. Under the agreement, the two parties committed to carrying out strategic cooperation covering battery standards, battery swap technology, and a battery swap service network.

One of the big problems with battery swap technology is that if every producer has its own standard, then it makes it very difficult for customers, along with increasing costs. Under the agreement, Chery and Nio jointly promote the establishment of a unified battery standard, battery swap system, and efficient battery asset management mechanism.

News of the third quarter launch comes up with a picture that appears to be taken in some form of presentation. In the picture, there appears to be an Exeed Exlantix ET SUV and an ES sedan in front of a Nio swap station.

Another just-published picture shows slightly camouflaged versions of the ES and ET at a battery swap station. The ET SUV can be seen inside the swap station, indicating that it may be the first to receive a swappable battery. There is also a video showing it driving in. Significantly, the video does not show an actual battery swap.

So far, the members of the Nio Battery Swap Alliance are Changan , Geely, JAC, Chery, Lotus Technology, GAC, and FAW, along with the now-defunct Jiyue making up the eighth.

Previously Nio CEO William Li has said that battery swap stations need to undertake 60 to 70 swaps a day in order to be profitable. Opening the stations to other brands is an obvious way of increasing throughput, helping the profitability of what is otherwise a drain on Nio’s bottom line.

The Exeed Exlantix brand is sold in China as Exeed Sterra.

Source: Fast Technology, Autohome